Author: KYMA

Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants everyone to have a safe holiday on the road.

The holiday enforcement period begins Wednesday evening, with extra CHP patrols hitting the streets across California.

Officers will be out in greater numbers to help keep drivers safe during the busy Christmas travel period.

According to the CHP, last Christmas, more than 300 people were arrested statewide, and 17 people lost their lives on California roadways.

CHP officials are reminding drivers to stay alert, follow traffic laws, and make safety a priority while traveling for the holidays.

“You will see more patrol vehicles out on the road being a visual deterrent, also making traffic stops on people who are driving at a high rate of speed during the upcoming Christmas holiday portion…It sends a clear message to drivers to slow down or face being stopped,” said Jose Marquez with CHP.

The holiday enforcement period will remain in effect through Christmas Day.

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Karina Bazarte

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) says a new safety grant will help save the lives of drivers involved in serious crashes.

The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the department more than $20,000 to improve post crash rescue efforts.

Fire officials say the funding will be used to purchase new rescue struts specialized tools that help stabilize vehicles and other unstable loads during rescue operations.

These tools allow first responders to safely assist victims who may be trapped inside damaged vehicles following an accident.

According to ICFD, crews respond to thousands of traffic accidents every year. While not every incident requires specialized equipment, many involve high-speed collisions that result in severe vehicle damage. Fire officials say having the right tools on scene can make a critical difference.

Federal data shows that 42% of people killed in car crashes were still alive when first responders arrived, highlighting how crucial rapid rescue efforts can be.

The department’s goal is to remove injured victims from crash scenes within ten minutes, reducing the risk of further injury or death.

The new rescue equipment is expected to be in use as early as next month.

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Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Denny’s restaurant in Calexico caught fire on December 25.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m. Pacific, after employees noticed smoke while opening the restaurant.

Fire crews initially struggled to locate the source of the fire. Fire officials say one of the cooks noticed heavy smoke and the smell of burning plastic coming from a mechanical room located between the ceiling and the roof.

Calexico Fire Chief Juan Contreras said, “We then saw flames there, but we couldn’t access that space, and the fire spread throughout the ceiling of the restaurant.”

No injuries were reported, and all employees were safely evacuated. More than 30 firefighters from five cities across Imperial County worked through the day to bring the flames under control.

The Denny’s on Cole Blvd was used as a gathering place for events with the local community and organizations.

Calexico Mayor Victor Legaspi described the restaurant as a community staple.

“You know, it’s family-oriented. A lot of families came down for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a friendly environment, kind of like the show Cheers, where everybody knows your name,” he said.

The owners say they hope to rebuild in the future.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Locals across Yuma County got the opportunity to give back as Vitalant is hosting the Yuma Holiday Heroes Blood Drive this weekend.

The annual three-day event kicked off Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and is taking place at the Yuma Palms, near Five Below at 1375 S. Yuma Palms Parkway.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free medium pizza from Pizza Hut, as well as a one-day entry to the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Saturday’s event will go until 6:00 p.m., but the second day of the annual event will start at 9:00 a.m. and will go until 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

The third and final day of the annual event will take place Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To sign up for Sunday’s event, as well as Monday’s event, click here.

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Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma locals experienced some light showers this morning. A Weather Authority First Alert ACTION Days is in effect through Thursday morning due to widespread and scattered showers being possible through the holiday. There could also be flooding risks within our area if any heavy rainfall occurs.

According to the National Weather Service, A Wind Advisory remains in effect through this afternoon and a  Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening for the western, higher elevation portion of Joshua Tree National Park. NWS reports light shower activity will likely continue for the next couple hours in South Central Arizona. 

The next round of rain showers are forecast for Christmas morning, but confidence in timing, coverage, and location of the showers is low.  There is a low chance (10%) for additional pop-up showers tomorrow afternoon and evening. A mid to late afternoon wind shift to the west is expected tomorrow.

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Joaquin Hight

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wednesday marks day two of Crossroads Mission’s 3 Days of Christmas, and served roast beef.

The 3 Days of Christmas is be held at the mission from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., who will serve locals food, give away free clothing, and have other fun activities for families to enjoy.

The Crossroads Mission has been hosting this event for over a decade. They also delivered 1,300 homebound meals.

The third and final day of the annual event will take place at the mission on Christmas Day, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the mission will serve a traditional turkey.

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Paul Vozzella

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Wet conditions have hovered around Yuma County Wednesday, and some locals are happy to see a change in weather.

A First Alert Action Day was issued Tuesday as scattered widespread showers are possible through Christmas.

You can watch a live look at the weather through our skycam below:

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Dillon Fuhrman

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – Las Chabelas Restaurant and Brawley Elks Lodge 1420 hosted the 14th Annual Children’s Christmas Bicycle Drive over the weekend.

The annual event took place at restaurant, located at 749 S. Brawley Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

According to the restaurant, they gave away over 160 bicycles and helmets to pre-selected children during the event.

The restaurant said the children were pre-selected through the following agencies in Imperial County:

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office

Brawley Police Department

Imperial County Social Service

C.H.A.R.L.E.E., a foster children advocacy organization

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

In addition, the restaurant said the Children’s Christmas Bicycle Drive has donated over 1,500 bicycles throughout its 14 years, with 159 bicycles being donated during last year’s drive.

Courtesy: Abraham Rubalcava

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Dillon Fuhrman

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) has released a mugshot of the man suspected of murdering Kerri Ann Abatti in Pinetop, Arizona.

63-year-old Michael Abatti was arrested Tuesday in El Centro for first degree murder in connection to his wife’s death.

ICSO says he was arrested without incident at a business on McCabe Road.

Multiple agencies believe Abatti traveled to Pinetop, Arizona and may have shot his wife, according to a Navajo County Public Information Officer.

Prior to the arrest, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) said detectives served multiple search warrants on residence properties, and vehicles belonging to the Abatti family earlier this month, where they have seized a “significant amount of evidence” to identify Abatti as the primary suspect.

Also prior to the arrest, NCSO says detectives provided their testimony to the Navajo County Grand Jury and the Navajo County Superior Court issued both Abatti’s indictment and arrest warrant.

“We extend our sincere condolences to Kerri’s family and to all those affected by this tragedy. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the cooperation of the other police agencies that worked countless hours alongside our Detectives. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to recognize the men and women who served on the Grand Jury who heard the evidence and concluded that an indictment was appropriate in this case, helping to bring justice to the Abatti family.”

Sheriff David M. Clouse, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

While we don’t know when he will be extradited to Navajo County, KYMA will keep you updated on this developing story.

Abatti Press ReleaseDownload

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Jailene Aguilera

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A big surprise for Genevieve Castaneda as Quick Refrigeration gave her a free air-conditioning (AC) system.

Quick refrigeration Vice President Jimmy Gilmore said her AC system was about 30 years old, and shared what they’ve done this year to give back to the community.

“This year was a year of giving back for Quick Refrigeration. We made a substantial donation to endow a scholarship at Arizona Western College, and we gave away a free air conditioner for Christmas,” Gilmore said.

This is the fifth year that Quick Refrigeration gave away an AC unit.

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